Colombian vice president begins 3-day visit to Nigeria

The Vice President of Colombia, Francia Márquez, on Saturday touched down in Abuja for a three-day official visit aimed at deepening diplomatic and economic cooperation between both nations.

Mrs. Márquez arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport alongside her husband, Mr. Rafael Yerney Pinillo Ocoró, and a high-level delegation of cabinet ministers, senior officials, and business leaders.

She was welcomed by Chief Uche Nnaji, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology; Hon. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Minister of Women Affairs; Dr. Mariya Mahmud Bunkure, Minister of State for the FCT; Mrs. Zubaida Umar, Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA); as well as other top government representatives.

The visit is expected to boost bilateral relations and enhance collaboration in governance, trade, agriculture, energy, education, security, and other strategic areas.

A major highlight will be the signing of Memoranda of Understanding covering key sectors such as women empowerment, trade, aviation, manufacturing, agriculture, and culture.

The itinerary also includes a plenary session attended by both vice presidents, the Nigeria-Colombia Business Forum, government-to-government meetings, high-level business engagements hosted by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, and a summit on Artificial Intelligence.

Officials say the mission underscores a shared commitment by both nations to expand cooperation and explore fresh opportunities for mutual growth.